Media Advisory: Seven-time Tour de France Winner Lance Armstrong to Speak at UB

Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France winner and founder of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, will speak at 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 28, in Alumni Arena as part of the University at Buffalo's Distinguished Speakers Series.

In 1996 Armstrong was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer, which had spread to his lungs and brain. Within months of his cancer diagnosis, he formed the Lance Armstrong Foundation to help others struggling with cancer. He survived the disease and went on to win the Tour de France a record-breaking seven times.

Armstrong is also active with the LIVESTRONG campaign, which has become a global movement about hope, empowerment and taking control of your life and your health.

Armstrong's lecture is expected to start at approximately 8:10 p.m. His presentation will focus on lessons of courage learned during his battle with cancer and as a cyclist, along with the importance of teamwork and what it takes to turn dreams into realities.

During the lecture, audio and/or video photography, as well as still photography, will be limited to the first five minutes of Armstrong's lecture.

Working media may reserve tickets for Armstrong's lecture by contacting Christine Vidal in the UB Office of Communications at 645-4607 or vidal@buffalo.edu no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, April 27. Reserved tickets may be picked up at the will-call window in Alumni Arena prior to the program. Media may need to show press credentials in order to be admitted to the program.

Media also are invited to attend the "Duel in the Pool" competition between Lance Armstrong and triathlete coach Mary Eggers, who will battle it out in a 50-meter kickboard sprint at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in the Alumni Arena Natatorium. The competition is being held to raise funds for Teens Living with Cancer in Buffalo and Rochester. Media who wish to attend the Duel in the Pool are asked to contact Charles Anzalone, Office of University Communications, by 5 p.m. on Friday, April 27, at 645-4600 to confirm their attendance. Armstrong will not be available for interviews before or after the competition. Results of Duel in the Pool are embargoed until 8 p.m. Saturday; Downloadable video of the race, as well as an interview with Eggers and details about how the Duel in the Pool came to be, will be available to media at Armstrong's Distinguished Speakers Series lecture.

Onsite press arrangements for both the Duel in the Pool at 3:30 p.m. and the Armstrong lecture at 8 p.m.: Charles Anzalone, Office of University Communications, at 716-440-8824.